Littlechicks's Reviews

Excellent care from 6 months old

Debbie and Paul have cared for our little boy 3 days a week since he was 6 months old. He settled really well and my husband and I felt very comfortable leaving him with them.

He's become a confident toddler, thanks to Debbie and Paul, and they've been great support to us as first time parents - especially with his development in the early months and my worries around baby led weaning.
We enjoyed viewing the pictures of their activities throughout the day and the messages via whatsapp if there was a question or our son had done something funny!
We also like the fact that our son got fresh air every day and attended toddler groups - which he loves.

Note - we have only left D&P due to the distance we travelled to get to them and the convenience of a nursery providing all meals/snacks.

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by Jess on 15/02/2024

Phenomenal Childminding Duo

Debbie and Paul have been a phenomenal childminding duo for our toddler since she was 7 months old. From the start, we were truly impressed by their warmth and genuine care for children. Our daughter's development accelerated under their guidance, and we were amazed at how quickly she acquired new skills. They were also incredibly accommodating in administering her medication throughout the day. We wholeheartedly recommend Littlechicks to parents, and we are immensely grateful. Thank you, Debbie & Paul!

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by Andrew on 21/05/2023

Great Team, home from home environment

Debbie and Paul looked after my daughter three days a week when she started preschool. Paul would walk her to preschool and also pick her up then looked after her until I collected at 5.30pm. She loved the one to one time she had with Paul.
Debbie and Paul's setting has a very homely feel made even more so by the fact they are both childminders.
Holidays are catered for with days out, cinemas trips and bowling. There was always something being made and sent home.
Sadly she had to leave when she went to Primary school but remembers her time at Debbie and Pauls with fondness.

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by RubysMum on 17/02/2020

Experienced minders in great setting

Debbie and Paul looked after my 3 boys for around 2.5 years - my older 2 before school and my youngest 2 full days a week from 11 months before moving to a nursery setting at school, aged 3.5. They were always friendly and approachable and took great care of the boys - when the youngest went through a stage of separation anxiety, they sourced some of his favourite toys to make the morning transition easier. You can tell they're experienced parents themselves and were really helpful when my elder son started to display additional needs. I'd seen Debbie & Paul at school over the years and knew from watching them (before I was looking for a childminder myself) that they'd be my first choice if a new baby came along. Their home is cosy and welcoming and had a great 'feeling'. Daily diaries and photos were lovely to receive every evening. I knew I'd found the right place for my youngest from the first visit, which made the return to work so much easier.

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by fayethom on 25/01/2020

Fantastic service! Kind and happy environment.

My son stayed with Debbie full time from 10 months to two years, until we sadly moved area.
He was always very happy there (didn’t cry once when leaving him) and enjoyed doing the many activities that Debbie put on, from inside the house and taking him out to parks, museums, bowling and more. Debbie provides a comprehensive record of his day, with photos which we still look at today ☺️

Joining her family for mealtimes, he really was like a fifth child and an extended part of her family.

I would 100% recommend Debbie, she is kind, calm, accommodating and good fun for the kids - my son still remembers her and her family even now a couple of years later.

Fantastic all round childminder😇

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by Max on 10/01/2020

Great help with development

Our little girl has been with Debbie for two and a half years now. Having our child with Debbie has helped with her development and confidence as can be clearly demonstrated with her speech, confidence and by the way she settled immediately into pre-school last year. It took a little while for her to open up to Debbie but once she did, the chatter was endless.

She is happy to go to Debbie's each morning as part of her routine and comes home happy. Debbie has been a great help with building her independence, such as doing her own shoes up, going to toilet on her own and putting her own coat on. We both work full time, so Debbie's assistance is a god send.

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by Timmo on 08/01/2020

Reassuring and patient settling a 9 month old

Debbie and Paul have looked after our son 4 days a week since he was 9.5 months old (he is now 14 months). Being so young he found drop offs hard and took a while to settle, but Debbie and Paul were reassuring and patient, sending me photos of him playing soon after I had left. He now settles quickly and is always very happy in their arms when I come to collect him.
I feel confident and happy that he is well looked after whilst in their care

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by Chrissie on 08/01/2020

Excellent care of my son upon my return to work

Working in London full-time, I had not expected to return to work after the birth of my son, as I could not get my head around the logistics of living in Lower Earley, Reading and working in London. I was offered a part-time position, still based in London, so was anxious to find good quality childcare which would also cater for my early starts. I met several childminders in the area, but immediately felt happy with Debbie and her home environment.

Debbie childminded my son from just under a year old, until he then started primary school, so 4 years in total. My son benefitted from Debbie's home environment, as he developed good social skills with other children, and attended any toddler groups they visited, so widened his circle.

I have continued to recommend Debbie to my local friends who may be seeking childcare.

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by Twinmum on 08/01/2020

Happy parent

Happy with the childminding services.
I have 2 boys one of which is 18 now but he started off with Debbie in 2001 and my 10 year old son has been with her since he was 6 months old. We have always had notice to any holidays and days off and Debbie always looks after my son in the best way possible. He is very happy with her and it makes it possible for me to go to work full time.

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by Squid on 08/01/2020

My happy little boy

We feel very lucky to have Debbie and Paul as our childcare providers, after being recommended to us by a friend off mine (who is a teacher) - our little boy started with them at 9 months old and has now been there a year. It is so reassuring to leave him with them as he is always so happy to go and he runs up the past to the door now! We love that he has a combination of outdoor and indoor activities and I think it really benefits him having a mix of ages to interact with. He gets presents at Christmas/birthdays, which shows how much they care about the children they look after, and I know Debbie and Paul really enjoy having him around. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for childcare.

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by ecs1983 on 08/01/2020

2 happy children

Debbie and Paul have been fantastic with my kids. Now 10 and 5, we have been sending them to Debbie and Paul for 5 years, and both girls are very happy. Debbie and Paul clearly love my girls, and are happy to see them, whether when they are working, or if we happen to see them at weekends.

Despite her age, and the fact her dad works from home, my 10 year old has never asked to stop going to Debbie and Paul's. To me, this shows how happy she is.

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by IzzyandF on 08/01/2020

Excellent Childcare

My two girls have been going to Debbie & Paul since we moved to Reading 3 years ago and had to replace our childminder in our old town. My girls were 4 and 1 at the time & we were looking for a home from home setting for them. My oldest daughter started school a few weeks after they started and loves the wrap around childcare Debbie & Paul provide. She loves the interaction with other children that she wouldn’t get at home & the crafts and activities they do after school.
My youngest is not currently at school and is with Debbie & Paul all day, 3 days a week. She settled well initially but had a wobble which Debbie & Paul dealt with really well & now she talks about them all the time when she’s not with them. Her manners are excellent when she comes home, and she is well behaved walking to and from school, something she has learnt since doing school runs with her childminders! Communication is excellent, if I ask for anything I get an immediate reply. My girls are confident and happy children and I’m certain that some of that is down to the care they receive whilst I can’t be around for them. As a working mum, this is extremely important to me as knowing I’m leaving them and that they’re happy makes it easier for me to go to work.

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by AmelieWr on 08/01/2020

Childcare review

I have been with debbie and paul for roughly 4 years on and off due to job changes, i think they do an incredible job of what they do! Always very helpful with my daughter when we have a rough morning ( as have an early start) to the point of calming her down, giving her a sticker chart for the morning behaviour, giving her breakfast ect really helpful and encouraging and when i needed quick childcare for my new job, they were there for me!
I will continue to use debbie and paul for as long as i need, have also highly reccomended to other friends who now use this service!
Clean and tidy home, great routine for the little ones & during the holidays they really do try and make it fun for the kids!
I couldnt fault them!

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by Natasha on 08/01/2020

Bruised face disregarded.

My child spent about 4 months with this child minder and seem to enjoy it very much, myself on the other hand had several perifrial issues. They have a box outside for bags ect but her drink was always left outside, even after I asked them to keep it inside, it was always outside when I collected her. I was "told off" for bringing her in a snow coat and on another occasion her Wellingtons. I always felt rushed upon collection, I wasnt given information reg her day (shes too small to ask) so I asked for the online form to be completed, this was but it was very de personalised. "We went to the post office, we had lunch, we napped, we played until collection " I looked for another setting and was pulled up twice by this setting saying they have been told I'm asking around from other c.minding friends. There was no confidentiality. I was told at collection they have decided not to have her back for 48 hrs re a soft nappy. At no point in the day was I contacted to say this might be happening (Shes teething, this is a reflection) there is no contact in the day no photos no comments, if I did ask it was "fine". I was told on collecting one time her poo was soft and she now has a sore bum. Upon taking her, and her sudocreme home which was outside.. her bottom and front bottom was so red she was crying in pain. The sudocreme was not applied all day. She was left to get incredibly sensitive and extremely red for 9 hours. I told them the creme was outside and the response was oh I didnt know. On one occasion I collected my child and she had a bruised nose and the skin above her top lip was also bruised. I was told that nothing had happened at their setting and it must have been with me when I brought her from the car to their front door that morning. No. They logged the "existing injury" online but refused to log it as an accident. They stated it happened prior to their setting. I showed them photos of that very morning of the child where you can clearly see she has no Mark's, but they didnt respond. In my opinion, they took their eyes off her for a short time and she either got hit by a toy or hit the door. I would understand them saying this as it does happen, but to be lied to and totally disregarded it happened with them is completely shocking. I decided to report this to Ofsted and a few hours later, I had an email saying "Please take this email as Notice to terminate our Childcare Contract for *****. We terminate with immediate effect" later that evening I received a message from another childcare provider saying that Debbie had gone online and sent this message in a whatsapp group of childers, "A warning ladies. We have just had ofsted on the phone. One of our parents has Reported us for not giving the child water and not applying her cream. Both facts are untrue. Her cream is applied and documented and obviously she has a drink!! Several in fact. Luckily no action from ofsted just a phone call. But I?m about to give immediate notice so if you have someone looking for 4 days a week for an almost 2 year old girl be very careful." To be slated like this from a professional setting is just beyond me. I have the full right to report any concerns I have to Ofsted, that's why they are there. To see this message not mentioning the bruised face reason is completely shocking. I feel they have been doing this job for a long time now and have almost become de sensatalised to feelings and it's just become a means to an end to get money. Unfortunately after the online slating from the childminder, I wouldn't reccomend this childminder setting at all. I have photos of every chat and the bruised face so please get in touch if you have any concerns

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by Hannah on 08/01/2020

Response by Littlechicks on 08/01/2020:

Firstly I’d like to say how shocked and saddened we were to read this review. We love what we do and it’s really upsetting to read here someone being so unhappy. We’ve always strived to run a great setting and all our other reviews reflect this.

We’ve always had good communication and our messages have always been friendly. To find the same day that we had your daughter here in our care and you had sent friendly emoji WhatsApp’s and thankyou’s for the craft gifts your child had made, you reported us to OFSTED caught us by surprise. It’s taken us some time to try understand what has happened, but feel we have to respond.

We always kept your daughters belongings in the house during the day. We only put things together for you at the end of each session. We had explained this previously and you said you understood. I’m sorry if this caused an issue. We always, always have water available for the children.

We did indeed ask for shoes as well as wellingtons. This was so your daughter could attend a church based toddler group where wellingtons weren’t allowed. The snow suit, we asked for her coat as well so it was easy to remove when strapping your daughter in the car. I’m sorry if you felt you were “told off” as we’ve spoken a lot since and nothing has ever been said.

The daily diary is a description of what we have been up to. It’s for all our families. We also respond to messaging and we were happy to chat about what we’ve been up to with you at pick up when asked. We never mean to rush anybody, we are just aware people are busy and try to keep things friendly but not too long.

We do exclude for illness. Your daughter was poorly and we needed to exclude for both her own benefit and that of the other children. We don’t make this decision lightly and understand it’s disruptive to working parents.

We did use Sudocrem. I remember us requesting it from you when we noticed your daughter arriving to us with a sore bottom.

The bruised nose. We noticed this shortly after your daughter arrived. We did make a note of it and speak to you at pick up. I’m sorry if this situation wasn’t managed to your satisfaction, we couldn’t log it as an accident as it wasn’t an accident in our setting. We did discuss this via WhatsApp and I thought we were all happy with actions taken.

Immediate notice. This wasn’t an easy decision but we thought that it was best given the horrible situation we were all left in. You did report to OFSTED rather than just having a chat with us. I’m sorry if you still wanted to leave your daughter with us, we just felt unable to continue the contract after the breakdown in trust.

Wonderful childminders

My daughter has always settled happily with debbie and Paul. I am more than happy with the care and love they show towards her. They are accommodating and kind, and I have every faith she is well looked after.

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by Parent on 16/10/2017

Very happy!

My 5 year old daughter, Jessica, attends Debbie and Paul's childcare setting 5 mornings a week before school. Paul walks Jessica to school and she fills me in on how much fun it is!
When we see Paul after school in the playground Jessica has to say hello!
Jessica is very happy at Debbie and Paul's and has been in their setting for 6 months now! Jessica settled well, very quickly. She loves that there are lots of children to play with and as a working mum it's very reassuring to know that she is happy.

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by Lyndsey1 on 05/06/2016

Great care from Husband and Wife team

My daughter started out being cared for by Debbie when she started at pre school. Debbie would take her to pre school and collect her three days a week. Then Debbie approached me about her hubby joining the team, which I was more than happy with. It gave my daughter a real home from home environment. Both Paul and Debbie are amazing with the children, they always have a house full with lots of activities and trips going on and with there being two of them you know that there will always be someone watching over them. They take the children out on trips during the school holidays, including cinema, bowling, the park , Lockey Farm etc. It must be quite a mission sometimes yet they seem to have a good sytem going and all the children respond well to them. Paul took over walking my daughter to pre school and she loved the one to one time he spent with her and her "2nd Daddy". If you want to know your children is being cared for in a home from home environment choose Debbie and Paul. Sadly my daughter had to leave as she started school and it wasn't one that Paul and Debbie covered, but two years later she still mentions them.

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by RubysMum on 16/05/2016

Caring and Experienced Childminder

My Daughter has been with Debbie and her husband Paul for a 1 year 1/2 starting when she was 11 months old. She found it hard to settle at first but both Debbie and Paul were patient and caring, making sure that she felt at home and worked with me to make her feel happy.

She enjoys varied activities and is always out and about trying new things and getting involved. She go's to toddler groups, cinema, parks, playgrounds and museums. She is always very proud to show me her artwork when I pick her up!

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend both her and Paul. They make a great team and provide a happy and loving environment.

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by Parent on 03/05/2016

Great childminding team

Debbie and Paul have been looking after my youngest son for 2 days a week since September 2014.

He settled in well and enjoys a wide range of activities every week, going out to toddler groups, pet shops and parks during term time and the cinema and other trips in the school holidays.

Daily diaries are sent every night and it's always lovely to see photos of the children enjoying themselves. Any issues during the day are well communicated.

Debbie & Paul are always kind and caring towards the children and are experienced parents themselves - I think this really helps their calm nature, as I'm sure they've dealt with pretty much every situation a child could throw at them! This experience has also been really helpful for me, as they gave some great advice when I was having issues with one of my older sons at school.

In summary, Childminding doesn't seem like 'just a job' to Debbie & Paul. They genuinely care for the children and work in partnership with parents to make the best of the children in their care.

I'd happily recommend Debbie & Paul's setting to any other parents.

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by fayethom on 02/05/2016

Lovely childminder

Debbie looked after my son for over a year from about 10 months to two years old. The only time he cried was when I came to pick him up - he was enjoying himself so much! I loved the fact that Debbie took my son out on day trips to museums, the park and bowling (to name a few) rather than being kept in the house all day. Thoroughly recommend Debbie, a real home from home experience.

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by Parent on 25/04/2016

Fantastic loving home

Both of my daughters are with Debbie and Paul, and have been for 15 months. Debbie and Paul provide a loving home with plenty of variability to keep children engaged.

My 2 year old started with Debbie and Paul at 9 months old. Debbie meets me at school, and even on "Mummy days" Frankie can't wait to see Debbie in the playground. They bonded really quickly, and it is clear it goes both ways.

Frankie has developed so much. She just turned 2 and is a chatty, independent little girl, who easily holds her own with older children. Debbie has also taught her to walk nicely along the road and to put her hands behind her back when she isn't allowed to touch.

My 6 year old goes to Debbie and Paul after school and in the holidays. After school they have a snack and usually have fun activities, or play with the toys. Debbie has an older daughter. Due to similarities in the girls occasionally bicker. Debbie handles this really well. She and I have discussed what we hear a number of times, and generally come up with a simple plan which we both agree with. Often the plan is to leave them to sort it out! Despite the impact to her own daughter Debbie always remains professional in her approach to the situation.

During school holidays Debbie and Paul seek out activities which will entertain all the children, but usually are special offers which helps to reduce cost to parents (like legoland for £5!).

The way Debbie and Paul work as a team mean that the activities the kids do are varied. Toddler group, the park, soft play. I also think it is great that the children have 2 adults, so they don't get fed up. Paul always seems calm around the children, and seems to have a real affinity with them. One of Frankie's very early words was "Paul" (usually shouted, with a grin).

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by IzzyandF on 18/04/2016

Response by Littlechicks on 08/01/2020:

Thanks for the review.

So lovely that 3 years later we still look after your lovely girls

Highly recommended childminder

My son went to Debbie when I returned to work after my maternity leave. I was extremely happy with the care provided by Debbie. As he was still only a baby when I returned to work, I felt he benefited from being in a home environment. As he grew older he was able to get involved in all the activities provided by Debbie. I feel his confidence and ability to get on with other children and adults can be attributed to his time spent with Debbie.
I have no hesitation in recommending Debbie as a childminder.

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by Twinmum on 14/04/2016